Wing mirror and "fully" automatic roof

[ulfurk]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and the proud owner of a "brand new" 2003 Z4.
I bought it today but it's got minor problems off the bat.

First one being the wing mirror. It had a busted wing mirror (just the glass, the housing is fine) which I knew about when I bought it.
The previous owner had already ordered and paid for the glass and all I had to do was pick it up from the dealer.
I managed to pry the old backing plate off but can't for the life of me figure out how the new one goes on.
I can see see how it hold in place but as to how to get it there I cant figure out.

The second problem I'm not as sure about.
I think I might have been swindled as my electric roof isn't "fully automatic".
The way the dealer showed me how to open it was by holding in the "open" button to unlock it from the frame, then pull it by hand so it folds back (which doesn't seem odd, there's no resistance or anything) and then pressing the "open" button again to lock it in place. To close the roof you do the same in reverse but using the "close" button instead of "open".
This seemed fine to me (I was too excited about the car to think much about it, guess I didn't do enough research on this particular aspect) but now after the fact I've noticed that there doesn't seem to be or have been any sort of manual electric roof option like that, just manual or fully automatic. I think I've been taken for a ride... but never mind, I still love the car and the roof isn't too much hassle to open and close... it would be nice if it were fully automatic though. Therefore, does anyone have any insight into this, was there ever a version of the system like this or was I taken for a ride and is it simply broken? If it's broken, any advice on fixing or getting it fixed?

I love my new car and these problems can't take away from that but any help I could get solving them would make me even happier!

Thank you,
Úlfur

 

[pablo]

i believe one of the cars selling points was the roof opened in 6 secs...or something like that. im not aware of a manual roof on a z4.

glad your happy with the rest of the z4 experience.

 

[ulfurk]

Hi, according to the Owners Manual there is a manual option (not very common I guess) but that one has a manual handle that you twist and pull to operate and no electric buttons.

I've definitely been swindled here, I just saw this and it describes my exact problem:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1313

I don't know if the dealer (used car lot) just didn't know or was not being entirely truthfull with me.
The thing is when I went for a test drive it was pouring down so the matter of the roof never came up and I didn't even think about it.
It wasn't until I picked it up to day that he showed me "how-to" open it... after the paperwork was signed btw.

Never mind, I'm not PO-ed about it as I'm too busy loving the car...
Now that I know I can try and get it fixed... I'm seeing the dealer again tomorrow so I'll bring it up with him then.

Does anyone have any ideas about the mirror though?

 

[Z4INHTOWN]

i have a manual top on mine,it's very easy to operate,and as far as i'm concerned,better,seeing as how the motors are prone to fail on the automatic tops due to poor water drainage due to the drain holes being too small,and easily clogged.

congratulation on your car,i'm sure you will enjoy it very much,it's definitely very fun to drive.

 

[Wondermike]

...I've definitely been swindled here...

Yep, unfortunately it sounds like you were, although you seem to be pretty relaxed about it. Maybe the dealer will do something about it, I don't suppose they can knowingly sell you a faulty car?

 

[ulfurk]

Ok, went and got my mechanic friend to help me out...
We got it on and I think it's gonna be fine although there's no way to be sure if it's really, really secure on there.
It seems to be anyway.

We oriented the mirror mount so that it was tilted with the top part as far out as it could get.
Then having the back bracket on the mirror it self in the open position we mounted it on.
Then by pocking a flathead screwdriver through the gap at the top, between the mirror and the housing, we were able to twist the bracket on the back so it would lock in place like it's supposed to.

And there you have it, in case anyone has to do this too...

Now I just need to find someone to have a look at my roof problem...

 

[ulfurk]

...I've definitely been swindled here...

Yep, unfortunately it sounds like you were, although you seem to be pretty relaxed about it. Maybe the dealer will do something about it, I don't suppose they can knowingly sell you a faulty car?

No, they're not allowed to do that.
We have a concept of "hidden flaw" up here and this would be an example of one of those.
I'm not really sure what that entitles me to in this case but I'm pretty sure they're supposed to inform me of a major fault like that.
Especially as "fully automatic roof" is stated on the advertised description...
I have a feeling it might come down to a "you never asked"/"he said, she said" kinda thing...
still fairly sure they have the responsibility to inform me about major faults such as this one.

I traded a Volvo S40 in for this one and I never thought off not informing them about what I knew to be wrong with it
such as a minor dent and the hood latch not functioning correctly.

I have to see them again to exchange spare keys so I'll bring it up then... kinda wishing I hadn't paid their commission already.

The automatic roof is a comfort but using it manually isn't that big of a deal.
Mainly I worry it might be an issue when/should I want to sell it again.
Plus, it's a question of honesty and conduct I think to sell "as advertised" or otherwise inform the buyer.
I guess it's just made me feel a bit gullible and overly-trusting for taking it out in the rain and not thinking to ask about the roof at all... just expecting it to be as it should.

But yeah, I am pretty relaxed about it, apart from this the car performs great and looks great...

 

[Wondermike]

I'd get them to fix it then. Also, not too sure that I would keep using it manually, it wasn't designed for that except in emergency use, so you might be causing further damage by not getting it fixed.

Glad to see you're relaxed about it though

 

[ulfurk]

I'd get them to fix it then. Also, not too sure that I would keep using it manually, it wasn't designed for that except in emergency use, so you might be causing further damage by not getting it fixed.

Glad to see you're relaxed about it though

Yeah, I went and talked to them about it today and was pleasantly surprised to find that they were pretty reasonable about it.
It seems like the salesguy (a young guy) just wasn't very knowledgeable on Z4. He said he'd thought it was an odd way to operate the roof but not really looked into it.
And now that I was there complaining about it he called around and realized that it was in fact faulty. So what's going to happen now is that I'll go to the official dealers here on monday to have it looked at. They'll give me a fault description and we'll take it from there. So between my purchase agreement (which doesn't state this fault despite specifically legally obligating them to state any faults) and that an official dealers fault description I'll either get it fixed at the previous owners cost or rift the agreement and start looking for another one.
All in all it's a pretty reasonable result...

 

[Aebous]

Glad to hear they are working with you.